'After Burner Climax': A turbulent trip

Feb. 14, 2013
|

The logo for 'After Burner Climax.' / Sega

by Brett Molina, USA TODAY

by Brett Molina, USA TODAY

Fans of video game arcades fondly remember Sega and its stable of cabinets, from classic racing title Out Run to brawler Virtua Fighter.

The publisher's classic arcade flight simulator After Burner is making a comeback on Apple iOS devices with the release of After Burner Climax. However, challenging controls might make it tough for players to jump into the virtual cockpit at $2.99.

The game is centered around two primary modes: traditional Arcade style where players advance as far as possible before losing lives, and Score Attack where they rack up maximum points.

Players choose between three fighter jets: a Super Tomcat, a F15-E Strike Eagle and a F/A-18E Super Hornet. Each features four custom paint jobs, from standard to low visibility.

Using either a touchscreen joystick or motion controls, players zip through the skies, performing rolls and taking out enemy planes with gunfire and missiles. Buttons on the lower right manage unlimited firearms, while an input for Climax Mode slows time to target several foes and generate the most damage. There's also a meter to adjust the plane's speed.

Overall, After Burner Climax is a nice-looking game, featuring several different environments for players to explore such as jungles and mountains. One particularly fun stage requires players to weave between mountains on the hunt for enemy planes.

However, the controls feel awkward. Using a thumbstick is cumbersome, and while leaning on the accelerometer is better, it's still not very precise. Also, there's practically no need for the jets' machine guns, as players can freely spam the missile button with little consequence.

If you're yearning for some After Burner nostalgia, then Climax might be worth your time, but the controls make it tough to justify the cost.